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Kōrero: Starfish, sea urchins and other echinoderms

Feather star

Image
Feather star

Normally this species of feather star is a deep-sea dweller, but in the murky waters of Fiordland, they are common at depths of 6–30 metres. Their numerous feathery arms trap tiny food particles that are carried in currents. Feather stars crawl about by means of little appendages called cirri. These also anchor the creature to sponges or corals, as shown here.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Ryan Photographic

by Paddy Ryan

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Maggy Wassilieff, Starfish, sea urchins and other echinoderms – Other echinoderms, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/5199/feather-star (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Maggy Wassilieff, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009.